Overview
- During a postgame SportsCenter interview after Houston’s 30–6 Wild Card win over the Steelers, Al-Shaair wore eye black reading “Stop the Genocide.”
- Coverage connected the phrase to the Israel–Gaza conflict, citing a United Nations commission of inquiry and human rights groups that have described Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide.
- Al-Shaair previously used the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats to support the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and discussed the issue publicly with the Houston Chronicle.
- Reports also note he donated to Palestinian relief, signed onto Athletes for Ceasefire, and met Gaza families receiving treatment in Houston, with video shared by HEAL Palestine.
- He recorded six tackles in the victory as the Texans advanced to the Divisional Round, where they are scheduled to face the New England Patriots.